Choir singing as a psychotherapeutic intervention for reducing depression in mid to older age : a controlled trial with QEEG testing

![CDATA[Mid to later life depression is known to be a significant precursor to functional and cognitive limitations in old age. The current study examined whether symptoms of depression, post traumatic stress and anxiety in mid to later life could be ameliorated through a choir program. The project involved community dwelling volunteers (N=32) ranging from 48-73 years in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. All participants were assessed for depression, post traumatic stress, wellbeing and quality of life. Subsequently, the participants were allocated to groups in a quasi-random method, i.e. choir group N=21 and control group N=11. All but four participants displayed depressive symptoms at baseline. A mixed methods experimental approach compared pre/post results between the choral and control groups. The eight week choral program included meditation, singing exercises and learning new songs. The control group lived their lives as normal between the pre and post interviews and assessments. Additionally, a pilot trial was carried out with subjects selected at random from the choir (N=9), using quantitative electroencephalograms (QEEG), monitoring changes in brain wave patterns before and after the singing intervention. A significant decrease in depression was observed in the choir group using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). An increase in wellbeing using the Spirituality Index of Wellbeing (SIWB) was found after eight weeks of two-hourly choral sessions. The preliminary QEEG data showed reduced right hemispheric lateralization following the choral singing intervention. All post observations from psychometric tests and QEEGs indicated that depressive symptoms had significantly reduced and wellness factors had increased. Even though findings were promising, further research is recommended in order to compare these results with other psychosocial programs such as meditation or art therapy. A later study with the same group would indicate that present gains have been maintained.]]